The battle scars of war, don't just leave physical wounds. The mental health issues of coping with battle have led to drug and alcohol addictions among many in uniform.

Now, more help is coming. The VA medical center in Huntington - which already offers mental health care - will soon have a separate facility for those brought in with addiction issues.

"They come back addicted and basically they were trying to relieve their anxieties and PTSD, which is some respects is something that affects most of our returning veterans. And some can cope; and some cannot. We've got to identify that, and be able to treat it," said Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

The 15-bed drug and alcohol treatment clinic in Huntington will be the first of its kind at a VA hospital in the nation. Meanwhile, there are also new bills in Congress to help treat addiction and train military medical staff on other issues.

"To help with suicide prevention. We've had a higher incidence of suicides, with our returning veterans, than has been in the past, and this will help a lot so deal with that issue," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

The target date for opening the Huntington VA addiction facility is 2017.

Advocates said better mental health care, including addiction treatment, is medically necessary. But they also said it's a necessary way to thank veterans for their service.